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Mergelland
EFABIS Data
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International Name |
Mergelland |
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Local Name |
Mergelland Schaap |
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Location |
Southern
Netherlands |
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Breeding females
(year) |
380 |
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Trend of population size |
Increase |
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Flock book established |
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Origin – history
The Mergelland
breed is a Dutch Heath breed originating from the native Meuse sheep
with crossing with the Kempen Heath sheep (but only since 1970). In
the late 1800’s, the sheep industry was small-scaled in southern
Netherlands (province called Limburg). In Limburg the loess lands
are fertile, and the conditions for agriculture were intensive.
Therefore, there was hardly space for large sheep flocks, and sheep
industry was not a big issue in Limburg those days. Only the poor
parts of the country side that were hard to reach and the calcareous
lands were grazed by sheep. In this part of The Netherlands, the
lands are calcareous because of the marl (“mergel” in Dutch) and
resulting in a very typical plant and animal life.
Breed description
The Mergelland is
white and polled. The Mergelland is adapted to loamy soil and
extensive conditions, and is managed in one location with housing
being provided up to 2 months in the year. Some flocks are kept in
sheep-folds at night. The Mergelland is mainly used for conservation
grazing, although wool products are valuable.
Conservation activities
Conservation
activities currently involve 36 flocks.
Cryopreservation of semen: 168 doses (of 7 rams)
Contact:
Name:
Oos Mergerlland Sjaop
Contact person: Math Hameleers
Address: Winterslag 6
Postal Code and city: 6213 GN Maastricht
Country: The Netherlands
E-mail: -
Website:
www.mergellandschaap.nl (only
in Dutch)
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